Device for overpacking at least one object into a batch

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for overpacking a least one object using at least one blank of an appropriate material such as carton in order to form a batch. The device of the invention includes at least one carousel including at least one receptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about said carousel, said three stations including a work station with distribution means for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station with loading means for loading said at least one object into said receptacle, and a work station with unloading means for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for overpacking at least oneobject, generally a plurality of identical objects, such as productspackaged in pots, cartons, cans, bottles, pouches and others, into abatch.

2. Background of the Related Art

Numerous products, particularly food products, are generally placed onsale in the form of a batch grouping together either a plurality ofindividual packaging units separate from each other such as cartons orcans, or packaging units connected to each other in pairs or sheets,such as yoghurt pots for example.

This batch is generally overpacked using a blank of material such ascardboard, plastic or any other suitable material shaped for example toencompass the products in the form of a tubular wrapping forming anoverpacking.

To produce such an overpacking, the products are grouped into successivebatches which are then conveyed to an installation wherein means foraffixing a cardboard blank on each batch and folding and closing saidblank in the form of a wrapping around a batch for example are provided.An overpacking may also completely cover the batch of objects or only bepresent on the top portion of the objects.

Generally, the device for overpacking the batch of objects isimplemented in-line, i.e. the objects arrive grouped into successivebatches on conveyors. Once a batch of objects has entered the device,cardboard blank distribution means are implemented to deposit on eachbatch a cardboard blank either from above or below. Means for foldingthe blank are then used to form the wrapping around the batch, the endsof the folded blank being glued for example. Once the overpacking hasbeen produced, the batch packaged in this way may then be conveyed byconveyors to another packaging device for example a batch boxing device.

In addition, an overpacking device is generally installed at the end ofa product packaging line. Format changes are generally made by modifyingthe height and grouping (width) parameters in an automated manner as theoverpacking is performed in-line.

Such overpacking devices or overpacking machines offer high qualitiesparticularly as they are flexible, offering the possibility to changethe format of the objects in an automated manner and because theyoperate at a high output.

However, a major drawback lies in the size of these devices. Indeed, asthis device operates in-line, it requires significant room to beintegrated in a product packaging installation.

In addition, to be able to use such overpacking devices, it is essentialto convey the objects in batch form, each comprising at least oneobject, at a distance from the others such that the batches can beengaged in succession to be processed successively. Therefore, it isimportant to be able to also offer means, generally upstream, forcreating this space between the batches. If this space is not created ina regular and accurate manner, the overpacking device cannot functionefficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to propose a device for overpackingthe batch of objects which has a reduced size with respect to theexisting in-line devices and which also offers the option of notsystematically needing to separate the successive batches to beprocessed.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for overpacking at leastone object using at least one blank of suitable material such ascardboard in order to form a batch, the device including at least onereceptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about saidcarrousel, said three stations including a work station for distributingat least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a workstation for loading said at least one object into said receptacle and awork station for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein meansfor folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpackingare also provided.

In this way, advantageously, the device according to the invention makesit possible in a space limited substantially to the surface areaoccupied by the carrousel to perform all the operations for overpackinga batch of objects.

Overpacking may be performed using the device according to the inventionto form a batch comprising at least one object such as a carton, bottle,pouch, can, pot, unit of a plurality of rigidly connected pots (forexample, yoghurt pots), etc. Generally, this batch comprises a pluralityof objects, organized into one or a plurality of layers.

Very advantageously, the carrousel preferentially comprises at least thesame number of receptacles as work stations distributed about thecarrousel.

Preferentially, the means for folding the blank makes it possible toshape the blank into overpacking and the means for closing said blankmakes it possible to close said overpacking. These closing means mayconsist of means for gluing, sealing the blank and/or means forfastening some fastening members provided on the blank. These means arealready known per se.

The blank of material is produced in a suitable manner according to thedesired overpacking i.e. sleeve overpacking, completely closedoverpacking, overpacking only on the top part of the products andothers.

These means for folding and/or closing may in particular be integratedtogether on the station for unloading at least one assembled batch or onthe station upstream from same i.e. the station for loading theobject(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks.

In an alternative embodiment, the means for folding and the means forclosing the blank are integrated on the station for unloading at leastone assembled batch and on the station upstream therefrom, i.e. thestation for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station fordistributing the blanks, respectively.

According to another embodiment, the means for folding and the means forclosing the blank are provided together on a further station providedbefore the station for unloading the assembled batch(es). The deviceaccording to the invention in this case advantageously comprises fourwork stations distributed about the carrousel.

In an alternative embodiment, it is envisioned that the means forfolding and the means for closing the blank can be each provided on anindependent work station before the station for unloading the assembledbatch(es).

It is also possible that the device also comprises a work station fordepositing, for example before closing the blank, an insert such as apublicity insert, for example a toy, inside a batch.

Advantageously, the overpacking device according to the invention isintegrated at the primary product packaging line outlet, the workstation for loading the objects being positioned at the outlet of theobjects arriving in the form of a sheet, in a line, etc.

Furthermore, each receptacle is sized to receive at least one batch ofobjects, the means for loading the receptacle with productspreferentially consisting of means for gripping at least one object fromthe objects conveyed to the device for example in a sheet or in a line,subsequently making it possible to deposit same in the receptacle.Preferentially, the receptacle receives a plurality of batches.

Therefore, advantageously, the means for loading makes it possible toform batches readily, for example by depositing a first layer of objectsfollowed by a second layer of objects.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the station fordistributing the blank represents the first work station and the stationfor loading the objects the second.

In this way, an overpacking device according to the invention has anoperating cycle as follows.

At the station for distributing the blank, the means for distributingthe blank comprise unstacking means making it possible to take at leastone blank from an overpacking material blank storage tray.

Such a blank may for example comprise a base portion, two side walls andtwo end portions that can be folded down on each other to lock theoverpacking. Optionally, the blank may also comprise portions that canbe folded down on the sides to form a completely closed overpacking.

The distribution means are advantageously arranged to deposit said blankon a receptacle such that the base portion of the blank rests on thebase of the receptacle and the side wall along the side walls of thereceptacle, the end portions projecting from said receptacle.

Once the blank has been deposited in the receptacle, the carrousel isrotated to convey the receptacle provided with the blank to the stationfor loading with objects.

The loading means are preferentially arranged to take up at least oneunit of objects to be deposited on the base of the blank consistingeither of the batch of objects to be overpacked or a layer of the batchof objects to be overpacked. In this way, the loading meanspreferentially consist of gripping means that can be lowered towardsobjects conveyed to the overpacking device, and can be moved to thereceptacle to deposit the objects taken up therein.

Said loading means may consist of mechanical gripping means, suctiongripping means and any other suitable means.

Once the objects have been deposited in the receptacle, the batch isassembled by folding the fold-down ends of the blank and gluing orfastening the sleeve formed in this way about the objects from above.

Once the sleeve has been closed and the batch assembled, the receptaclefinally arrives at the station for unloading the batch. The means forunloading at least one assembled batch consist of gripping means such asmechanical, suction or other means, making it possible to take up thebatch(es) assembled in the receptacle.

These gripping means are therefore arranged to take up the batches andconvey same to a deposit table wherefrom they may then be conveyed toanother station for processing the packaging for example a suitableboxing station for packaging the batches in boxes with a view to thestorage and/or transport thereof.

According to a second embodiment, the station for loading the objects inthe receptacle is the first work station and the station fordistributing the blank therefore makes it possible to deposit the blankinto the receptacle already comprising the objects for overpacking.

In this way, the blank which may, for example, comprise as describedabove, a base portion, two side walls and two end portions that can befolded down to close the overpacking is conveyed to the receptaclecomprising the objects in a folded U shape, the base portion beingpositioned on the objects in the receptacle and the side walls and theend portions being engaged along the objects. The blank may then beclosed from below by suitable folding and closing means.

In this operating mode of the device, said device advantageouslycomprises a receptacle having a base and side walls to receive at leastone bed of objects. Furthermore, the base comprises at least one hingedportion to enable the folding and closure of the blank from below.

In an alternative embodiment, in this operating mode, the blank may bearranged so that the folding and closure thereof form an overpackingonly in the upper portion of the batch.

Furthermore, it may be envisaged that the material blank is placed onthe top of the objects and only locked without folding on the upperportion thereof, by means of gluing for example.

Advantageously, the receptacles may be secured in a removable manner tothe carrousel such that it is possible to change same readily. In thisway, very advantageously, it is possible to envisage sets of receptaclesof different sizes making it possible to produce batches of differentobjects with separate overpackings. Similarly, according to the type ofoverpacking, the receptacle may have a different shape enabling eitherthe closure thereof from above or the closure thereof from below.

In this way, the type of batches produced, the receptacles on thecarrousel, the blanks in the storage tray and the gripping controls ofthe loading and unloading means and those of the folding and closingmeans are changed.

Obviously, the device according to the invention may comprisereceptacles mounted fixedly on the carrousel.

Therefore, the invention relates to an overpacking device foroverpacking objects of batches of varied sizes, according to thedifferent forms of overpacking, in a limited space while offeringsatisfactory processing outputs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to thefigures wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the top of an example of anembodiment of the overpacking device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 represents an enlarged top perspective view of the first two workstations of a device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged top perspective view of the unloadingstation of a device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 represents a top perspective view of the packaging station at theoutlet of the device according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An example of an embodiment of the device for overpacking batches ofobjects according to the invention is represented in FIG. 1.

This device comprises a carrousel 1 comprising at least one receptacle2. In the example shown, four receptacles 2 have been provided on saidcarrousel 1.

Said carrousel 1 is rotatable by suitable rotation driving means knownper se between three work stations distributed about said carrousel 1.

In the example shown, the receptacle 2 is designed to enable thesimultaneous formation of six batches of objects, each batch consistingof two layers of four rigidly connected objects, for example yoghurtpots.

The first work station is the station for distributing the blank 3 ofmaterial for wrapping a batch of objects.

Said station comprises means 4 for distributing six blanks 3 of materialin a receptacle 2. The means for distributing the blank 3 compriseunstacking means making it possible to take the six blanks 3simultaneously from a storage tray of blanks 3 of overpacking material.

Each blank 3 comprises a base portion, two side walls and two endportions 3 a, 3 b which can be folded down on each other to close theoverpacking sleeve about the batch of objects.

Therefore, the distribution means 4 deposit the blanks 3 on thereceptacle 2 such that the base portion rests on the base of thereceptacle 2, the side walls along the side walls of the receptacle 2,the end portions 3 a, 3 b projecting from said receptacle 2.

Once the blanks 3 have been deposited in the receptacle 2, the carrousel1 is rotated to convey the receptacle 2 provided with the blanks 3 onthe station for loading with objects 6.

The second work station or loading station comprises means for loading 5the objects 6 into said receptacle 2 to assemble the batches of objects.

Therefore, the loading station is generally positioned at the outlet ofa primary product packaging line assembling objects 6. Said objects 6are, in the example selected, combined in units comprising four rigidlyconnected objects 6, the units arriving in a sheet on a table in linesof six units.

The loading means 5 are arranged to take up at least one unit 6 a ofobjects 6, in this case, four rigidly connected yoghurt pots forming alayer of the batch of objects 6 for overpacking. In that the receptacle2 comprises six blanks 3, the loading means 5 are arranged tosimultaneously pick up six units 6 a of objects 6. This unit 6 a in turnrepresents an object.

Said loading means 5 preferentially consist of gripping means, that canbe lowered towards the objects 6 conveyed in a sheet to the overpackingdevice, and can be moved towards the receptacle to deposit said objects6 taken up therein.

Said loading means 5 may in particular comprise suction gripping means.

In this way, the suction gripping means 5 takes up the six units of aline of the sheet to subsequently deposit same into the receptacle 2.The gripping means 5 are used twice in succession to assemble the batchof objects 6 consisting of two layers of units 6 a.

Once the objects 6 have been deposited in the receptacle, the batch isassembled by folding the fold-down ends 3 a and 3 b of the blank 3 andgluing said ends 3 a, 3 b to form the sleeve about the objects. Thefolding and gluing means are not represented for clarity purposes andmay form a fourth work station inserted between the station for loadingthe objects and the station for unloading the assembled batches.

Once the sleeves have been closed and therefore the six batches ofobjects assembled in the receptacle 2, said receptacle finally arrivesat the station for unloading batches. The means for unloading theassembled batches consist of suction gripping means 7 for taking up thesix assembled batches in the receptacle 2.

The unloading means 7 are arranged to take up the batches in thereceptacle 2 and extract same therefrom towards a table 8 whereon theyare deposited in the form of a line of six batches, said table 8 beingarranged to subsequently transport same to a station for packaging thebatches, for example a boxing station.

Said boxing station comprises means for distributing a blank 10 forforming a box 11 and means for folding said blank 10 for forming the box11. Means for grouping assembled batches are also provided for forminggroups of batches with a view to the positioning thereof in boxes 11 andgripping means for taking up the groups of assembled batches to depositsame in boxes 11. Said grouping and gripping means may be in groupedform as represented in 9.

Once the receptacle has been emptied, the carrousel 1 moves saidreceptacle again to the station for distributing blanks 3 for a newoverpacking cycle.

The control of the device and the regulation thereof (movement speed,trajectory, etc.) are preferentially performed using suitable electroniccontrol means.

The invention is obviously not limited to the examples described butalso covers the alternative embodiments provided in the claims.

1. A device for overpacking at least one object, using at least oneblank of suitable material such as cardboard in order to form a batch,comprising a carrousel including at least one receptacle and at leastthree work stations distributed about said carrousel, said threestations including a work station comprising means for distributing atleast one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a workstation comprising means for loading said at least one object into saidreceptacle and a work station comprising means for unloading at leastone assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blankin order to form the overpacking are also provided.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the carrousel comprises at least the samenumber of receptacles as work stations distributed about said carrousel.3. A device according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle is sized toreceive at least one batch of objects.
 4. A device according to claim 1,wherein each receptacle is secured in a removable manner to thecarrousel.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means fordistributing blanks comprises unstacking means making it possible totake at least one blank from an overpacking material blank storage trayto convey said blank to the receptacle.
 6. A device according to claim1, wherein the means for loading the receptacle with objects consists ofmeans for gripping at least one object from the objects conveyed to theoverpacking device, and can be moved to the receptacle to deposit saidat least one object taken up therein.
 7. A device according to claim 6,wherein the loading means are preferentially arranged to take up atleast one unit of objects to be deposited in the receptacle consistingeither of the batch of objects to be overpacked or a layer of the batchof objects to be overpacked.
 8. A device according to claim 1, whereinthe means for unloading at least one assembled batch includes grippingmeans, making it possible to take up the batch(es) assembled in thereceptacle and deposit same to another packaging processing station. 9.A device according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle is configured tohave a base and at least lateral walls and the station for distributingthe blank having at least one base portion, two side walls and two endportions that can be folded down on each other, is positioned upstreamfrom the station for loading objects, the distribution means beingfurther arranged to deposit said blank on the receptacle such that thebase portion of the blank rests on the base of the receptacle, the sidewalls of the blank along the side walls of the receptacle, the endportions of the blank projecting from said receptacle.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and the means forclosing the blank are integrated together on the station for unloadingat least one assembled batch or on the station upstream from same i.e.the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the stationfor distributing the blanks.
 11. A device according to claim 1, whereinthe means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integratedon the station for unloading the assembled batch(es) and on the stationupstream therefrom, i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in thereceptacle or the station for distributing the blanks, respectively. 12.A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and/orclosing the blank are provided together on a further station providedbefore the station for unloading the assembled batch(es).
 13. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and/or the means forclosing the blank are each provided on an independent work stationbefore the station for unloading the assembled batch(es), respectively.14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a work stationdepositing an insert inside at least one batch.